Catholic Churches of NCC includes: Saint Patrick Parish Seneca WI; Saint Philip Parish Rolling Ground WI; Saint Mary Parish Gays Mills WI; St James Cemetery Rising Sun WI; Kneeland Cemetery Seneca WI catholicchurchesofncc.com

19^th Sunday of Ordinary Time                   August 10, 2025

St. Mary, St. Patrick, St. Philip Parishes

Mail address for all three parishes: PO Box 35, Seneca WI 54654

Website: https://www.catholicchurchesofncc.com

Confessions: Normally, 30 minutes before every Mass and by appointment.

Normal Monthly Eucharistic Adoration:

St. Patrick: First Friday after the 8:30 AM Mass

St. Philip: First Sunday after the 10:30 AM Mass

Mass Intentions This Week

Pastor: Fr. Tom Huff – frtomhuff@gmail.com St. Patrick's Rectory 608-734-3252

Bookkeeper: Angie Martin -- 608-734-3931 stpatricks.seneca.bookkeeper@gmail.com

Bulletin/Mass Intentions/Membership: Yvonne Hady -- 608 485-2109 hadyy@mwt.net

Bulletin Information Deadline: Tuesdays at 4:00 PM. Bulletin is posted on our website.

UPCOMING PARISH EVENTS

Wed., Aug. 13 Adult Faith Study at St. Mary’s, 7:00 PM

See upcoming Mass Schedule Changes at end of bulletin

Income from Last Week

Mission Appeal: Please place your donation in a plain envelope marked: MISSION APPEAL INDIA. Place it in the collection up to and including August 10^th. IMPORTANT: Make checks out to your parish with memo: Mission Appeal. One check from the parish will then be sent to the Mission Office.

From the Priest’s Corner: Let us Trust God and be filled with Hope, Courage and Joy

Our Readings today show us the importance of the theological virtue of hope. As Christians we are meant to direct our lives towards the future with absolute confidence in God. We are to believe that God has a plan for us and for the world, and that even in difficult situations, God is bringing that plan to fruition, and will give us the needed grace to help us face life with hope and courage.

It was hope and courage that sustained Abraham throughout his life. Abraham is a powerful model of the Christian faith because throughout his whole life he trusted in God and God's plans for him. If we find ourselves even in unsettled, uncomfortable, and difficult situations, then we ought to have the belief that such moments are meant to be a part of our journey to God. It is the task of every Christian to make our journey to God with hope, courage and even joy.

The Church, by Her teachings and especially through Her sacraments, offers the world a foretaste and promise of the glory of the resurrection. In today’s Gospel Saint Peter seems to have some understanding of the task facing him. An understanding which will guide and shape him and his fellow Apostles, their successors and all of us who are baptized and members of the Church. As members of the Church, all of us are called to watch for Our Lord's coming with hope, courage and joy.

We Christians are not Marxists, and as such, we do not believe that humans are going to bring about the perfection of humanity and human society. This will only be achieved by Our Lord when He brings history to its fulfillment. Our Gospel tells us that when the Son of Man comes, He will break into history, not when it seems to be finished, nor indeed when all seems hopeless, but at a time when He deems best. But that does not mean that in the meantime we can be lazy and indifferent. When He comes, He should find us working for His Kingdom, which He alone can bring to completion. So, let’s do our part, filled with hope, courage and joy working for the kingdom of God!

Listening Session for the seven parishes of the Prairie du Chien Deanery: On Sunday, September 7^th the Diocese of LaCrosse will hold a Listening Session for the Parishes of Holy Family, St. Wenceslaus, Sacred Heart, St. Patrick, St. Mary and St. Philip at 7pm in the Hall of St. Wenceslaus in Eastman. All parishioners are welcome to attend. This Listening Session concerns discernment regarding the future of our parishes. More information will be forthcoming to explain better the purpose of this Session.

St. Philip Announcements:

St. Philip Candles: Contact Bonnie Murphy. The cost is $5 per candle.

Many thanks to Harry Heisz and Terry O'Donnell for taking such great care of our church grounds and cemetery. You are much appreciated.

St. Mary Announcements:

Rosary – 30 minutes before Mass -- St. Mary’s Church is open each day from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. You are welcome to stop in to pray and/or light a candle for your intention.

First Sunday Potluck – Potluck brunch after Mass each first Sunday of the month. All are welcome, dish to share is appreciated, but not required. Next potluck is Sept. 6^th.

St. Mary’s Religious Education Classes will begin in the middle of September. Please register your children/grandchildren, first grade through pre-confirmation by August 17 so we will have time to order supplies. We also hope to have a post-confirmation class. We are in need of at least 1 addition teacher this year. There is a sign-up sheet in the back of the church. Further questions, contact Yvonne Hady at 485-2109 or hadyy@mwt.net

St. Patrick Announcements:

Fall Dinner/Bazaar Sunday, September 14th

Sign-up sheets are available in the back of the church. Please consider signing up for more than one shift, if you are able. Thank you for giving your time to make the bazaar successful.

Smoked Pork Chop Dinner is served from 11- 2 pm that day with a pie auction, games and basket raffle.
If you would like to donate to the raffle tickets or basket raffle, please call or text Susie Garfoot at 608-317-0515.
Each family is asked to provide:
• Five $.25 items for Parcel Post game – Wrapped and Marked Boy or Girl
(please no chocolate items nor items for adults)
• Bingo Prize ($5 cash works as well)
• Two Pies or Large Dessert for the Dinner – Groups 1 & 2
• Cake for the Cake Walk – Group 3
Groups 1 & 2 are responsible for clean-up after the Bazaar.
Bachelors may donate $15 instead of providing items for the Dinner.

Pro Life Dance Party: Friday, August 22 at 1604 Wisconsin Ave., Boscobel starting at 5:00 PM. Sponsored by Life Guardians.

Upcoming Mass Schedule Changes

Assumption of Mary

Vigil Masses on Thursday Evening (August 14th): 5:30pm at St. Philip's & 7pm at St. Mary's

Assumption of Mary Day Masses (August 15th): 8:30am & 7pm at St. Patrick's Parish

Sunday, September 14^th – St. Patrick’s Pork Chop Dinner

St. Mary’s at 8:30 AM * Note time change!

St. Patrick’s at 10:00 AM followed by Fundraising Dinner, Pie Auctions & Games

St. Philip’s at 10:30 AM with Msgr. Scheckel

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Blest Art will be visiting your parish
August 16 & 17 on behalf of the Christian families in Bethlehem, Palestine. Our mission is to support those families in the Holy Land.

For centuries, the Christians in and around Bethlehem have earned a living by carving religious olive wood art to sell to visiting pilgrims. Fewer pilgrims are journeying to the Holy Land today, making it difficult for those Christians to support their families. As a result, there has been a dramatic rise inChristian emigration from the Holy Land. Now, less than 1% of the population in the Holy Land is Christians.

Blest Art Inc helps the struggling Christian families of Bethlehem by marketing their artwork in the United States. Due to this work many Christian families maintain their livelihood and their ancestral homes in the land of our Lord.

When Blest Art will be visiting your parish next weekend, we will have hand-carved nativity sets, statues, crosses, rosaries, and many other pieces of beautiful olive wood art. We kindly invite you to visit our display and to consider purchasing a piece of art from the Holy Land. In doing so, you will help support the many families who depend on this form or art for their living. Your purchase will make a difference in the lives of many Christian families.

We gladly accept cash, checks, and all major credit cards. Please note that we do not ask for, nor do we accept, any donations. Thank you in advance for your purchase when we come to visit. Jeryes Qumseya and the members of Blest Art Inc.

Tri-Parish Prayer List – We want to pray for the ill and others in our parishes who need ongoing prayer. To be placed on or to place someone on our prayer list, please call: Sue Peterson 608-735-4865, Bonnie Murphy 608-386-4954, or Ica Boylen 608-734-3287.